Priduct display unit with adjustable width

ABSTRACT

A product display unit comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, and at least one securing structure is disclosed. Each of the first and second side walls comprise at least one rail extending laterally therefrom and the side walls define a distance therebetween. An upper surface of the rail is configured to support a portion of a product. At least one securing structure is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first side wall. The securing structure comprises a plurality of securing portions disposed in mechanical cooperation therewith. The securing structure is configured to allow the distance between the first side wall and the second sidewall to be adjustable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/053,155 filed on May 14,2008, the entire contents of which being herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to product displays used on ashelf. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a productdisplay for use on a shelf and includes a serpentine path and/or anadjustable width.

Various types of product displays are commonly used in retailenvironments to display and/or dispense different types of products. Asopposed to simply positioning products on shelves, product displays arecommonly used to position products on a shelf in manner whichautomatically advances (e.g., via gravity) a trailing or distal product(i.e., a product that is behind a lead or proximal-most product) closerto a user once the lead product has been removed from the shelf. As canbe appreciated, such product displays facilitate the arrangement andupkeep of products, as the trailing products don't have to be manuallymoved towards the front of the shelf, for instance.

Additionally, it is often desired to display different types of productsadjacent one another. For instance, a retailer might wish to display catfood and dog food on the same shelf. Further, the packages of theseproducts may be different in size, thus resulting in difficulty indisplaying the items side-by-side on the same shelf, and especiallydoing so using an automatic-feed display apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a product display unit comprising afirst side wall, a second side wall, and at least one securingstructure. Each of the first and second side walls comprise at least onerail extending laterally therefrom and the side walls define a distancetherebetween. An upper surface of the rail is configured to support aportion of a product. At least one securing structure is disposed inmechanical cooperation with the first side wall. The securing structurecomprises a plurality of securing portions disposed in mechanicalcooperation therewith. The securing structure is configured to allow thedistance between the first side wall and the second sidewall to beadjustable.

In disclosed embodiments, the securing structure is disposed inmechanical cooperation with the second side wall.

In disclosed embodiments, the securing structure includes a rod and ahousing and the rod is translatable at least partially within thehousing.

In disclosed embodiments, the rod includes at least one ring disposed inmechanical cooperation therewith, the securing portions are disposed inmechanical cooperation with the housing, and the ring is removablyreceivable in the securing portions.

In disclosed embodiments, a user-exerted force is sufficient to move theat least one ring between adjacent securing portions.

In disclosed embodiments, the housing includes two halves that arepivotably connected to capture a portion of the rod therebetween.

In disclosed embodiments, the securing structure includes a male end anda female end. Here, the male end is configured to matingly engage thefemale end of an adjacently positioned securing structure.

In disclosed embodiments, the securing structure includes a male end anda female end. Here, the female end is formed by the housing and isconfigured to matingly engage the male end of an adjacently positionedsecuring structure.

In disclosed embodiments, at least one of the first and second sidewalls includes an opening, and at least a portion of the male end isconfigured to extend through the opening.

In disclosed embodiments, the product display unit includes a female endcap configured to matingly engage the male end of the securingstructure, and a male end cap configured to matingly engaged the femaleend of the securing structure.

In disclosed embodiments, the securing structure includes a rod and ahousing. Here, the rod is translatable at least partially within thehousing, and at least one of the first and second side walls includes anopening. In such embodiments, the product display unit includes a stopmember disposed adjacent the male end of the securing structure. Thestop member is configured to limit the distance the rod can travelthrough the opening.

In disclosed embodiments, the rails define a serpentine path.

The present disclosure also relates to a securing structure for use witha product display unit. The securing structure comprises a housing, arod, and at least one ring. The housing includes a plurality of securingportions therein. The rod is translatable at least partially within thehousing. The at least one ring is disposed in mechanical cooperationwith the rod. The at least one ring is removably receivable in thesecuring portions.

In disclosed embodiments, the at least one ring is configured to movebetween adjacent securing portions in response to a user-exerted force.

In disclosed embodiments, the securing structure includes a male end anda female end. Here, the male end is configured to matingly engage thefemale end of an adjacently positioned securing structure.

In disclosed embodiments, the housing includes two halves that arepivotably connected to capture a portion of the rod therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a product display unit accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the product display unit of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial, perspective view of the product displayunit of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pair of securing structures of theproduct display unit of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a product displayunit;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial, perspective view of the product displayunit of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of a portion of the product display unit of FIGS. 6and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed product display unit aredescribed in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numeralsdesignate identical or corresponding elements in each of the severalviews. As is common in the art, the term “proximal” refers to that partor component closer to the user, e.g., customer, while the term “distal”refers to that part or component farther away from the user.

In combination with the accompanying FIGS. 1-8, a product display unit100 of the present disclosure is described herein. In the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a 2-tier product display unit is shown and isreferenced as 100 a. In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, a 3-tierproduct display unit is shown and is referenced as 100 b. The 2-tierproduct display unit 100 a is configured to hold up to two rows ofproducts thereon (depicted as “R1” and “R2” in FIG. 3) and the 3-tierproduct display unit 100 b is configured to hold up to three rows ofproducts thereon. Additionally, a plurality of product display units 100(or portions thereof) are capable of being positioned adjacent oneanother to define a plurality of columns (depicted as “C1” and “C2” inFIG. 1). Accordingly, products of different heights (when a such aproduct is on its side), for example, can be displayed in adjacentcolumns.

Each of the illustrated product display units 100 includes at least onepair of side walls 110 defining an adjustable distance “d” (FIGS. 1 and8) therebetween, rails 120 which define a serpentine path, and asecuring structure 130. As discussed in more detail below, securingstructure 130 is configured to allow side walls 110 to be spaced anadjustable distance from one another. A first embodiment of securingstructure 130 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and includes an adjustermechanism 200. A second embodiment of securing structure 130 isillustrated in FIGS. 6-8 and includes at least one connector member 131and at least one link 140 (e.g., wires, bars, cables, etc.). As can beappreciated, the distance “d” between an adjacent pair of side walls 110helps determine the size (e.g., height) of a product capable of beingdisplayed thereon, which can also help optimize the display area of ashelf.

Rails 120 extend substantially perpendicularly from side walls 110(towards an adjacent side wall 110) and are configured to support aportion of product displayed thereon. While rails 120 in the illustratedembodiments define two different paths (i.e., 2-tier and 3-tier), thepresent disclosure is not intended to be limited to theseconfigurations, as other configurations may be utilized. Additionally,the paths defined by rails 120 may be configured for gravity-feeddispensing (i.e., angled down), or for non-gravity-feed dispensing(e.g., substantially parallel to the shelf supporting product displayunit 100 and/or for use with a pusher (not shown)). Moreover, side walls110 of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments shown.That is, side walls 110 of different shapes and/or sizes from theillustrated embodiments are usable without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, and with particular reference to FIG. 5,securing structure 130 including adjuster mechanism 200 is illustrated.Adjuster mechanism 200 includes a rod 210, a housing 220 and at leastone ring 250. In the illustrated embodiments, two rings 250 (e.g.,O-rings) are shown and are disposed in mechanical cooperation with rod210. It is envisioned that rod 210 includes a recess therein, which isconfigured to receive (e.g., rotatably receive) ring 250 therein.Housing 220 includes a first housing half 222 operably connected to asecond housing half 224 (e.g., via a living hinge 226), which define acavity 228 therebetween. Additionally, at least one housing half 222 or224 is movable with respect to the other housing half 222 or 224 betweenan open position (see securing member 130 towards the right of FIG. 5),where rod 210 is insertable therebetween, and a closed position (seesecuring member 130 towards the left of FIG. 5), where a portion of rod210 is retainable therebetween, for instance. Further, it is envisionedthat at least one of the housing halves 222, 224 includes lockingstructure 229 thereon to enable the housing halves 222, 224 to bereleasably locked with each other.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, each housing half 222, 224 includessemi-circular securing portions (e.g., internal ribs, recesses ordetents) therein, which form generally circular, full securing portions(e.g., internal ribs, recesses or detents) when housing halves 222, 224are in the closed position. (For clarity, both semi-circular and fullsecuring portions are referred to herein as reference number 230.)Additionally, when housing halves 222, 224 are in the closed position,rod 210 is translatable with respect to cavity 228 in the direction ofdoubled-headed arrow “A-A” in FIG. 5. Moreover, when housing halves 222,224 are in the closed position, each detent 230 is configured anddimensioned to engage ring 250. More particularly, detents 230 and rings250 are configured and dimensioned to enable rod 210 to be translated(e.g., pushed and pulled) within cavity 228 between a plurality ofdiscreet positions (i.e., the positions of detents 230), for example ina ratchet-type motion. That is, the outer circumference of rings 250 maybe substantially equal to, slightly smaller than or slightly larger thanportions of detents 230 and/or the areas between adjacent detents 230.As such, the relative positioning between rod 210 and housing 220 ismaintained until an outside force (e.g., a user moving adjacentsidewalls 110 with respect to each other) is exerted to overcome thefrictional fit therebetween. It is also envisioned that rings 250 aremade of a deformable material (such as rubber, for example), which mayfacilitate the translation and/or retainment of rod 210 with respect tohousing 220.

Additionally, while the illustrated embodiments show circularcross-sections, it is envisioned that the cross-section of rod 210,housing 220 and/or rings 230 is at least partially non-circular (e.g.,two parallel sides interconnected by curved sides). In such anembodiment, it is envisioned that rotating a rod 210 about its axiswould cause rod 210 to be releasably locked in place with respect tohousing 220.

With particular reference to FIG. 5, housing 220 includes a narrowportion 242 (relative to the portion including detents 230). The innerdiameter of narrow portion 242 is smaller than outer diameter of rings250, such that rings 250 cannot be translated beyond narrow portion(i.e., in the direction of arrow “B” in FIG. 5).

In the illustrated embodiments, adjuster mechanism 200 includes a maleend 202 and a female end 204. Male end 202 is disposed on rod 210 and isconfigured to extend through an opening in sidewall 110. A stop member203, which is disposed adjacent male end 202, is configured to limit thedistance rod 210 can travel through an opening in side wall 110. Femaleend 204 is disposed on housing 220 and is configured to matingly engagemale portion 202 of an adjacently positioned adjuster mechanism 200 (asshown in FIG. 5). As can be appreciated, when a plurality of productdisplay units 100 (or portions thereof) are positioned adjacent oneanother, adjuster mechanisms 200 between adjacent sidewalls 110 matinglyengage one another. With regard to the end sidewalls, a female end cap206 is used to matingly engage male end 202 of adjuster mechanism 200and a male end cap 208 is used to matingly engage female end 204 ofadjuster mechanism 200. As illustrated, each product display unit 100may include a plurality of adjuster mechanism 200s. That is, adjustermechanism 200 may be used on a proximal lower portion, a proximal upperportion, a distal lower portion, and/or a distal upper portion toremovably connect adjacent side walls 110 of product display unit 100.More or fewer sets of adjuster mechanisms 200 may be included withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

As can be appreciated, the number of detents 230 and the spacing betweenadjacent detents 230 (e.g., about 0.0625 inches) helps determine thepossible widths for each column available using a single sized adjustermechanism 200. It is envisioned that there is equal spacing betweenadjacent detents 230 or that the spacing between adjacent detents 230 isnot equal. Additionally, while housing 220 is shown including aparticular number of detents 230, it is envisioned that housing 220includes more or fewer detents 230. Adjuster mechanism 200 of differentsizes (i.e., lengths) may also be available to allow a larger range ofpossible widths for each column. For example, the length of a first sizeadjuster mechanism 200 may be adjustable between about 1.1875 inches andabout 2.750 inches; the length of a second size adjuster mechanism 200may be adjustable between about 2.8125 inches and about 4.625 inches;and the length of a third size adjuster mechanism 200 may be adjustablebetween about 4.725 inches and about 8.125 inches

With reference to FIGS. 6-8, securing structure 130 including connectormember 131 is illustrated. Connector member 131 may be affixed to a sidewall 110 or may be removably attached thereto (e.g., via a snap-fitconnection). The inclusion of connector member 131 and links 140 enablesa user to configure product display unit 100 such that each column canaccommodate a product of a particular size (e.g., height of a productlaying on its side). As illustrated, each product display unit 100 mayinclude a plurality of connector members 131 and a plurality of links140. That is, connector member 131 and link 140 may be used on aproximal lower portion, a proximal upper portion, a distal lowerportion, and/or a distal upper portion to removably connect adjacentside walls 110 of product display unit 100. More or fewer sets ofconnector members 131 and links 140 may be included without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an enlarged view of the interaction betweenconnector member 131 and link 140. Link 140 (e.g., U-shaped) includes abackspan 142 and two legs 144 depending therefrom. Connector member 131includes two rows 132 a, 132 b, with each row including a plurality ofsecuring portions (e.g., apertures 134). As shown, each leg 144 of link140 fits into an aperture 134 of connector member 131. The two rows 132a, 132 b of apertures 134 allow connector member 131 of a single sidewall 110 to have two links 140 engaged therewith, with the backspans 142of each extending towards adjacent sides walls 110 in oppositedirections, for example.

As can be appreciated, the number of apertures 134 and the spacingbetween adjacent apertures 134 helps determine the possible widths foreach column available using a single sized link 140. In one embodiment,each row 132 of each connector member 131 includes equal spacing betweenadjacent apertures 134. It is envisioned that there are six apertures134 per row 132 and that the centers of each aperture 134 are about ⅛inches apart. In such an embodiment, each leg 144 of link 140 can fitinto one of six apertures 134 allowing a range of about 6/8 inches perleg 144, or about 1½ inches per length of link 140. That is, in such anembodiment, each length of link 140 allows an approximate 1½ inch rangebetween adjacent side walls 110. Accordingly, in a contemplatedembodiment, link 140 having a length of about 5 inches can be used tocreate a row width of between about 4¼ inches and about 5¾ inches.

It is envisioned that apertures 134 are equally or non-equally spacedand that the distance between each aperture 134 is any suitable distance(e.g., between about 1/16 inches and about 2 inches). Specifically, itis envisioned that the distance between any two adjacent apertures 134does not exceed the width “w” of rail 120 (FIG. 7). Further, as shown,apertures 134 of connector member 131 are disposed on both lateral sidesof its associated side wall 110. It is also envisioned that each row 132a, 132 b of apertures 134 includes more or fewer than six apertures 134.Additionally, it is envisioned that connector member 131 includes moreor fewer than two rows of apertures 134.

The present disclosure also relates to a product display kit. The kitincludes a plurality of side walls 110 including rails 120, and aplurality of securing structures 130. It is envisioned that the kitincludes sets of links 140 and/or adjuster mechanisms 200 of differentsizes (e.g., lengths), thus enabling a user to set up the productdisplay unit 100 to hold and/or dispense products of different sizes(e.g., heights) adjacent one another.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of displaying products.The method includes providing product display unit 100, and adjustingthe distance “d” between adjacent side walls 110.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in thefigures, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, asit is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art willallow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the abovedescription should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art willenvision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claimsappended hereto.

1. A product display unit, comprising: a first side wall and a second side wall, each of the first and second side walls comprising at least one rail extending laterally therefrom, the first and second side walls defining a distance therebetween, wherein an upper surface of the rail is configured to support a portion of a product; at least one securing structure disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first side wall, the securing structure comprising a plurality of securing portions disposed in mechanical cooperation therewith; wherein the securing structure is configured to allow the distance between the first side wall and the second side wall to be adjustable.
 2. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the securing structure is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the second side wall.
 3. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the securing structure includes a rod and a housing, the rod being translatable at least partially within the housing.
 4. The product display unit of claim 3, wherein the rod includes at least one ring disposed in mechanical cooperation therewith, wherein the securing portions are disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing, and wherein the ring is removably receivable in the securing portions.
 5. The product display unit of claim 4, wherein the at least one ring is configured to move between adjacent securing portions in response to a user-exerted force.
 6. The product display unit of claim 3, wherein the housing includes two halves that are pivotably connected to capture a portion of the rod therebetween.
 7. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the securing structure includes a male end and a female end, the male end being configured to matingly engage the female end of an adjacently positioned securing structure.
 8. The product display unit of claim 6, wherein the securing structure includes a male end and a female end, the female end being formed by the housing and being configured to matingly engage the male end of an adjacently positioned securing structure.
 9. The product display unit of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second side walls includes an opening, and wherein at least a portion of the male end is configured to extend through the opening.
 10. The product display unit of claim 7, further comprising a female end cap configured to matingly engage the male end of the securing structure, and a male end cap configured to matingly engaged the female end of the securing structure.
 11. The product display unit of claim 9, wherein the securing structure includes a rod and a housing, the rod being translatable at least partially within the housing, wherein at least one of the first and second side walls includes an opening, and further comprising a stop member disposed adjacent the male end of the securing structure, the stop member being configured to limit the distance the rod can travel through the opening.
 12. The product display unit of claim 1, wherein the rails define a serpentine path.
 13. A securing structure for use with a product display unit, the securing structure comprising: a housing including a plurality of securing portions therein; a rod, the rod being translatable at least partially within the housing; and at least one ring disposed in mechanical cooperation with the rod; wherein the at least one ring is removably receivable in the securing portions.
 14. The securing structure of claim 13, wherein the at least one ring is configured to move between adjacent securing portions in response to a user-exerted force.
 15. The securing structure of claim 13, wherein the securing structure includes a male end and a female end, the male end being configured to matingly engage the female end of an adjacently positioned securing structure.
 16. The securing structure of claim 13, wherein the housing includes two halves that are pivotably connected to capture a portion of the rod therebetween. 